Bob Marley: Orthodox Christian reggae artist

[SpyridonOCA]

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church & Bob Marley's Baptism And The Church
http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/rasta/ethiopian_church.shtml

I'm happy to know that, before he died, Bob Marley became an Orthodox Christian. Why hasn't this made Orthodoxy more popular in the states, where he is so well loved?

 

[AnneSally]

Interesting!

 

[E.C.]

Simple: he became Ethiopian Orthodox a week before his death.

He lived most of his live a Rasta and a good portion of his songs are about Rastafari beliefs and so forth. I imagine that if he became Orthodox a few years earlier than maybe some later songs would have had Ethiopian Orthodox meanings to them.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

Also, his widow Rita has not done much to promote knowledge of his conversion. Lots of people didn't want Bob (Berhane in the church) to convert and I am sure that pressure continued on his family after his death.

Among some Jamaican and American Rastas, knowledge of Orthodoxy has grown. Sometimes I dress in a rasta-type style with my headwraped and my Coptic Orthodox earrings (I am wearing both right now lol). When rastas approach me and ask if I am one of them, I tell them that I am Orthodox and they know of what I speak. Haile Selassie's writings are very Orthodox and he speaks openly about his faith and his church. Since true Rastas (not just political rastas) regard Selassie as God, they read his essays and encounter the Tewahedo (Ethiopian Orthodox) Church.

Road to Emmaus did an issue on this topic

Songs of Freedom: A Rastafari Road to Orthodoxy
An interview with Michael and Teresa Wilson about their long journey to Orthodoxy, and the Rastafarian lifestyle that led them home.
Nativity Address by Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia
Translated from Amharic, this undated Nativity greeting expresses the traditional Christian worldview of the last Ethiopian emperor.


M.

 

[Matrona]

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church & Bob Marley's Baptism And The Church
http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/rasta/ethiopian_church.shtml

I'm happy to know that, before he died, Bob Marley became an Orthodox Christian. Why hasn't this made Orthodoxy more popular in the states, where he is so well loved?

Because he was never Orthodox. I don't want this to turn into a "they're-not-really-heretics" debacle, but Chalcedon is an infallible council and ignoring it places one outside Orthodoxy.

 

[Kristos]

Because he was never Orthodox. I don't want this to turn into a "they're-not-really-heretics" debacle, but Chalcedon is an infallible council and ignoring it places one outside Orthodoxy.

Never the less - OO

I like the drums the Ethiopians use.

 

[SpyridonOCA]

He lived most of his live a Rasta and a good portion of his songs are about Rastafari beliefs and so forth. I imagine that if he became Orthodox a few years earlier than maybe some later songs would have had Ethiopian Orthodox meanings to them.

Despite being heretical, most Rastas consider themselves a sect of Ethiopian Orthodoxy, and much of Marley's lyrics are inspired by Biblical themes. That might be one example of how God reveals at least some of Himself even to those who aren't Orthodox.

 

[SpyridonOCA]

Because he was never Orthodox. I don't want this to turn into a "they're-not-really-heretics" debacle, but Chalcedon is an infallible council and ignoring it places one outside Orthodoxy.

You are welcome to have your position, but it is outside the mainstream of contemporary Orthodoxy.

Oriental Orthodox does not equal Monophysite
http://www.coptic.net/articles/MonophysitismReconsidered.txt





Beyond Dialogue: The Quest for Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Unity Today Rev John H Erickson, Dean

Symposium on 1700th Anniversary of Christian Armenia
October 27-28, 2000
http://www.svots.edu/faculty/john-erickson/articles/beyond-dialogue.html/

 

[Monica child of God 1]

The Tewahedo Church is doing missions in Jamaica, Trinidad and other nations with large rasta populations. Unfortunately Eastern Orthodox churches have not. I am not going to fault Bob or any other rasta for entering into the truth that they find there.

M.

 

[SpyridonOCA]

The Tewahedo Church is doing missions in Jamaica, Trinidad and other nations with large rasta populations. Unfortunately Eastern Orthodox churches have not. I am not going to fault Bob or any other rasta for entering into the truth that they find there.

M.

There is a great deal of good being done by Eastern Orthodox missions in Africa.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

There is a great deal of good being done by Eastern Orthodox missions in Africa.

but what does that have to do with missions to rastas?

M.

 

[E.C.]

Despite being heretical, most Rastas consider themselves a sect of Ethiopian Orthodoxy, and much of Marley's lyrics are inspired by Biblical themes. That might be one example of how God reveals at least some of Himself even to those who aren't Orthodox.

Possibly. Not something to rule out.

Certainly happened in Alaska and most likely in other areas.

The Tewahedo Church is doing missions in Jamaica, Trinidad and other nations with large rasta populations. Unfortunately Eastern Orthodox churches have not. I am not going to fault Bob or any other rasta for entering into the truth that they find there.

M.

I'd rather see the Tewahedo folks there than many others.

Personally, I think the Rasta populations would be more accepting towards the Ethiopian Orthodox above most others anyway.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

Personally, I think the Rasta populations would be more accepting towards the Ethiopian Orthodox above most others anyway.

This cannot be denied.

M.

 

[SpyridonOCA]

but what does that have to do with missions to rastas?

M.

There are many Rastas who live in Africa. Eastern Orthodoxy in Africa is just as embracing of African culture as Ethiopian Orthodoxy, so that definitely is a plus for Rastas.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

There are many Rastas who live in Africa.

Hmm, no not really. There is one real Rasta settlement in Ethiopia called Sheshemane but it is no more than a couple hundred people if that. Rastas are a miniscule part of other populations.

Eastern Orthodoxy in Africa is just as embracing of African culture as Ethiopian Orthodoxy, so that definitely is a plus for Rastas.

True. It would be great for the Church in Africa to grow and be a real witness to people of African descent around the world.

M.

 

[E.C.]

True. It would be great for the Church in Africa to grow and be a real witness to people of African descent around the world.

M.

In our parish we have somebody who is from Northwestern Kenya.

There are also a few seminarians from Africa that came here to get their degrees in Divinity and shall return to their home country.

I think their is hope for Orthodoxy in Africa.

 

[jckstraw72]

You are welcome to have your position, but it is outside the mainstream of contemporary Orthodoxy.

i doubt that.

 

[AureateDawn]

Ya, I'm just eagerly waiting for Coptic and Eastern unity. We essentially believe the same.

I think it's awesome that Bob Marley died Orthodox.

I think it's.... interesting... the Ethopian Orthodox use... drums.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

"t"raditions Justin, "t"raditions. The Orthodox Christians in Kenya use drums too. One thing to know about people of African descent: the drum is very important to us

M.

 

[AureateDawn]

I love two cultures: Japanese and African. My mom is a HUGE fan of African culture... our house is decorate with all sorts of African carvings and other art.

I didn't know something as big as an instrument would be a "t"radition... and I wasn't criticizing, I just found it a bit odd. I remember seeing an absolutely beautiful Ethiopian Orthodox video on Youtube... I'll try to dig it up.